Howdy all,

I'm building up a RC D44 for the front of my heep, originally I planned on having someone help me setup the ring and pinion, and have already ordered a 4.11 from someone on this board. However, now I've found another ring and pinion for basically nothing, and now I'm tempted to take a crack at setting them up myself. I have researched this tons, hve a pretty good feel for it, and have most of the necessary tools, but still have never done it myself. This is tempting, but most people always say that ring and pinions are very tricky even for an experienced wrencher (which I'm really not but I'm working on it). Of course since I'm soon to be the proud owner of 2 ring & pinions, and carriers of the right ratio, I really don't see how I have much to loose, other than what I can sell the other one for if the first one is done right. So what do you all think, give it a try, or leave it to the pro's

if you have access to the correct tools go for it.

fyi was able to swap a r@p on the trail using a sledge hammer for a shop press so anything is possible

you got it, now get it! it's cake really just take plenty of time. you might have to change those shims a lot more than the pro. but do not say srew it that's good. just do it again and you will come up with a rite-on pattern sooner or later! my fisrt was a 30, then an arb in a 44 no problem

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys... I'm pretty sure I can do this, since the axles are just sitting in my garage, I got probably another month of other work, and can really take my time, and make sure I get it right. And since it's the front axle, with lockouts, It's probably the best "first try" there is.

I'm really kinda curious though if anyone on this board has anything go catastrophically (sp?) wrong with ameture gear setups. Short of some horror story of diff's exploding and sending shrapnel thorugh oils, or tranny pans, I'm pretty sure I'm going to take a crack at this...BTW, anyone in southern indiana wanna come watch/help, I'll buy the beer...

chad

I set my gears up, w/o help, and w/o the propper tools. I did have a press to use, and a torque wrench. All of the propper tools just help make things quicker. I have been driving on them for 5 years now, w/o a problem. I had a mechanic friend take a look at what I did, and He approved. Just take as much time as needed to get the patterns correct. As long as they are correct they will be fine.


oh, make sure that the threads get cleaned real well, and use loctite red on your ring gear! I didn't clean the threaded holes good enough, and one of the bolts backed off, and shot through the rear cover! What a big bang that makes! I just recleaned everything, and put it all back together, so far so good!

Richmond sells a video that tells you how to set them up, you can get the vid at Summit or Jegs....

My bro did his and we dont have a Pinion depth checker.. So far so good!( but he does have a dial indicator)

Yea, I need to get a dial indicator, that's the only required tool I don't have, got the cheapy 20 ton press last weekend (those @#%% from cummins tools had one of there truck sales practically in my back yard, so I'm about $500 poorer, but many tools richer). Anyway, what are peoples thoughts on reusing bearings? They seem to be in pretty good shape, and if I do screw it up, and rather not ruin a brand new set of bearings, but I don't want to use something that's sure to fail. Anyone have thoughts on this. Thanks

chad

Just take the original shims out and re-use them. There will probably be shims under the pinion, but not always. Sometimes the shims are under the bearing race. There are also side bearing shims that you should re-use. I know how to set up a ring and pinion properly and this way gets you very close because most of the variation is in the case. The gears may only have a few thousandths difference and will be marked to tell you how far off from perfect they are. Just check the pattern when you are done and if it looks good you're done.

I bought a Chinese dial indicator for $45 and have used it for setting up 5 or 6 R & P and it works great.